The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-09-09
THE MOVEMENT IN AFRICA.
A Plea of Natives for Protection from the
Demon of Alcohol.

Demon of Alcohol
A late copy of the Cape Mercurg,
published at King Williams Town,
Cape of Good Hope, contains an inter-
esting narration showing the progress
of the Temperance reformation among
the natives of that colony. 1t appears
that the people of Chief Siwani's tribe
were the first to agitate for the re-
moval of the canteens (suttling
houses licensed to sell liquors) from
their locations. In this they were sue
cessful, and it was found by experience
that the restrictions placed upon the
traffic, though falling short of total
prohibition, were highly advantageous
TO the tribe.
1t was recently reported among them
that the Government, as revenue
measure, was about to abrogate the re-
strictions placed upon the traffic with
in the proclaimed areas. This caused
much excitement among them, and
was the occasion of the assemblage of
a large meeting of Siwani's people,
June %, in front of the court house in
the town, to represent their views to
the magistrate, and through him to the
Government.
That ord erly meeting of dusky ma
tives, but recently emancipated from
the thralldom of barbarism, eloquently
pleaded for the protection Of their
homes from the destroying influence
of the drink, which is the curse of civ
ilized man, formed scene of pathetic
interest to all who feel the pulse-beat
of philanthropic sentiment If the
Government does notheed such earnest
appeals as were there made, then the
white people who rule the colony
should first Of all be made the subjects
of future missionary labors.
An old chief, named Mabope, was
first to speak. They had asked the
Government to take the liquor from
their homes, and it had done SO. He
trusted it would now listen to their
plea and not bring it back again. He
wanted liquor kept as far away from
the black people as possible. Sevise, a
son of Swami, said they looked to the
Government for protection. They
were all agreed as to the good that
had followed since the canteens had
been closed. and they did not want
the white mans liquor brought near
their locations again. He was not
speaking, he said, as 4 total abstainer,
but he spoke for the good of his
people.
The statement of Mema, son of a
principal councillor, was to the effect
that the women as we'll as the men
were addicted to the drink habit.
"When the canteens were among
them," he said, ''their wives spent all
theiS time at. them, and they had no
wives If the wives of civilized white
people should fall into like habits of
dissipation, the men would speedily
organize M. G.. T. U. societies for the
suppression of the evil. The dark col
ored sisters, however, turned the Ia
bles on the men when they were given
opportunity to speak. Nopodi, wife
of notable, said the women were los
ing their husbands and being ill-treat-
ed through drink; but since the can
teens had been closed they had been
happier, and had become prosperous
and contented. Another woman bore
testimony to the; evil effects of drink,
and. concluded by saying that she chad
almost grown tired of being thrashed
whent the canteens. were near them. !"
That sort of experience would make
even white woman "almost tiredp'
a number of women spoke to about the
same effect.
Mr.. Dick, the local magistrate, closed
the. conference by saying that he would
present the matter to the Government,
and that he believed it would be good
day for the natives when strong drink
could no longer be sold to the black
man. This was greeted by signs of
earnest approval by the assemblage.
Altogether the incident may be noted
as an indication that the tidal wave of
Temperance is reaching all shores
CHICAGO Inter Ocean.